Vineyard and winemaking
La Brune Pinot Noir is sourced from selected vineyards across Elgin, an elevated inland plateau ringed by mountains and cooled by maritime air from the nearby Atlantic. Slow ripening in this cool South African region helps Pinot Noir retain fragrance and acidity, while sandstone, shale and clay-rich soils contribute fine structure.
The 2021 fruit was hand-picked and carefully sorted before gentle fermentation in stainless steel and open-top vessels. Extraction was kept measured, and the wine matured for ten months in older French oak barrels, building texture and savoury complexity without covering the purity of the red fruit.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Bright ruby red with a translucent core and fine garnet highlights.
Nose
Red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate are joined by rose petal, rooibos, forest floor and a restrained note of clove, giving a perfume that is both vivid and quietly earthy.
Palate
Medium-bodied and finely drawn, with tart red berries, snappy acidity and close-grained tannins. The fruit remains clear and cool in character, while savoury spice and a light woodland note build towards a persistent, elegant finish.
Food pairing
Pair with roast duck and red cabbage, grilled salmon, guinea fowl with thyme, or mushroom risotto finished with Parmesan. Its brightness also works well with charcuterie, especially air-dried ham and lightly smoked meats.
Background story
La Brune is the project of South African winemaker Nico Grobler, whose time in Burgundy sharpened his interest in wines built around finesse, purity and transparent vineyard expression. He brought that philosophy back to Elgin, one of South Africa's most compelling regions for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Elgin Pinot Noir 2021 is a restrained interpretation of the variety, favouring gentle extraction and seasoned oak over weight or sweetness. Its regional clarity and composure earned 94 points from Tim Atkin MW, underlining Elgin's growing reputation for finely structured Pinot Noir.
